5-Day Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan with Abu Simbel Option

5 Days Round trip from Airport Moderate pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Luxor's East Bank at Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple
02 Discover the West Bank treasures of the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon
03 Visit Edfu's Temple of Horus and Kom Ombo Temple with the Crocodile Museum
04 Discover Aswan's top sights, including the High Dam, Philae Temple, and the Unfinished Obelisk
05 Relax on a felucca ride near Kitchener's Island and enjoy onboard cultural evenings

Sail between Luxor and Aswan on a 5-day Nile cruise that combines iconic ancient temples, royal tombs, and relaxing time on board. Guided visits take you to the grand complexes of Karnak and Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan's landmark sites, with scenic cruising through Esna in between. The journey also includes a peaceful felucca ride near Kitchener's Island and lively evening entertainment such as a traditional Galabeya Party and Nubian folklore show. An optional early-morning excursion to Abu Simbel is available on the final day before check-out.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Luxury

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Aswan, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Luxor, Esna, Abu Simbel

Languages English, French, German, Italian

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Luxor and East Bank Temples

Morning: Arrival in Luxor, transfer to the Nile cruise, check-in, and cabin assignment.

Afternoon: Lunch on board (buffet style). Afterward, begin your tour of Luxor's East Bank.

Karnak Temple: Visit the largest ancient religious complex in the world.

Luxor Temple: Explore this stunning temple located in the heart of the city.

Evening: Dinner on board, followed by evening entertainment. Overnight in Luxor.

Day 02

Luxor West Bank and Sailing to Edfu

Morning: Breakfast on board, followed by a tour of Luxor's West Bank.

Valley of the Kings: Visit the ancient royal tombs of the Pharaohs.

Temple of Hatshepsut (Deir el-Bahari): See this architectural masterpiece built into the cliff.

Colossi of Memnon: Stop for photos at the two massive stone statues.

Afternoon: Return to the ship and begin sailing toward Esna Lock. Enjoy lunch on the sun deck while watching the cruise pass through the lock.

Evening: Dinner on board, continue sailing to Edfu, and overnight in Edfu.

Day 03

Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Sailing to Aswan

Morning: Breakfast on board, then visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu, usually by horse carriage.

Afternoon: Return to the cruise and sail toward Kom Ombo while enjoying lunch and afternoon tea on the sun deck.

Kom Ombo Temple: Visit this unique temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus.

Crocodile Museum: Explore the museum during your stop at Kom Ombo.

Evening: Continue sailing toward Aswan. Dinner on board, followed by a traditional Egyptian Galabeya Party. Overnight in Aswan.

Day 04

Aswan Landmarks and Nubian Culture

Morning: Breakfast on board, followed by tours of Aswan's top attractions.

The High Dam: Discover this modern engineering landmark of Egypt.

Philae Temple: Visit the Temple of Isis on Agilkia Island, accessible by motorboat.

The Unfinished Obelisk: Learn how the ancient Egyptians carved massive stone obelisks.

Afternoon: Lunch on board. Enjoy a relaxing felucca ride on the Nile around Kitchener's Island.

Evening: Dinner on board, followed by an authentic Nubian folklore show. Overnight in Aswan.

Day 05

Check-out and Optional Abu Simbel Excursion

Optional trip (early morning): Excursion to the awe-inspiring Abu Simbel Temples by bus or flight, returning before noon.

Morning: Final breakfast on board.

Check-out: Check-out and luggage handling.

Departure: Transfer to Aswan Airport or train station for final departure.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Airport 6 cities · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Accommodation: 4 nights on a 5-star Nile cruise on a full-board basis (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Arrival pickup from Luxor Airport or hotel to the cruise.
Departure transfer to Aswan Airport or hotel at the end of the tour.
All transfers during sightseeing in modern air-conditioned vehicles.

What's Not Included

Not included:
Sightseeing & transport package (optional add-on): Cost: $200 USD per person for the entire 5-day tour, which includes:
- Professional licensed tour guide.
- All transfers in modern, air-conditioned vehicles.
- Entrance tickets to all mentioned monuments and temples (Karnak, Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Edfu, Kom Ombo, High Dam, and Philae).
Flight or train tickets: International or domestic flights, or train tickets to Luxor and from Aswan.
Beverages: Soft drinks, mineral water, and juices on board (charged extra to your cabin account).
Optional tours: Excursions such as Abu Simbel or a hot air balloon ride in Luxor.
Tipping (gratuities): For cruise crew, tour guide, and drivers.
Personal expenses: Souvenirs, laundry, spa services, or personal purchases.

What to bring

Essential Documents & Money:
- Passport (valid for at least 6 months) and visa.
- Cash (EGP, USD, or EUR for local markets and tipping).
- Credit/debit cards.
Clothing & Footwear:
- Light, breathable cotton clothing for daytime tours.
- A light jacket or sweater for cool Nile evenings.
- Extremely comfortable walking or sneaker shoes for ancient sites.
- Swimwear for the cruise top-deck pool.
- Smart-casual outfits for dinners and evening shows.
Sun Protection:
- Sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat or cap.
- High-SPF sunscreen.
Health & Personal Care:
- Personal daily medications.
- Basic first-aid kit (hand sanitizer, motion sickness or stomach medication).
- Insect or mosquito repellent.
Electronics:
- Camera or smartphone with plenty of storage.
- Portable power bank.
- Travel power adapter (standard European 2-pin plug, Type C/F).

Know before you go

Cultural Etiquette & Dress Code:
- Modesty in public: Egypt is relatively conservative. Wearing clothes that cover the shoulders and knees is appreciated, especially when visiting mosques and local markets.
- On cruises and at resorts: Swimwear, shorts, and casual summer wear are completely fine on the cruise ship sun deck and at tourist sites.
Currency & Payments:
- Local currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP).
- Cash is king: While major hotels accept credit cards, cash is essential for local bazaars, small transport, and tipping.
- Tipping culture (baksheesh): Tipping is customary in Egypt for drivers, cruise crew, guides, and luggage porters.
Weather & Climate:
- Sun protection: The sun in Upper Egypt (Luxor & Aswan) is strong year-round. Sunglasses, hats, and SPF are essential.
- Temperature drops: Winters are warm and sunny during the day, but Nile evenings can get chilly. Pack a light jacket or sweater.
Health & Tap Water:
- Drink bottled water: Always drink sealed bottled water; tap water should only be used for showering and brushing teeth.
Photography Rules:
- Never take photos of military sites, police checkpoints, or strategic infrastructure.
- Standard smartphone photography is generally allowed at most sites, but professional cameras inside certain tombs might require specific permits or small fees.